"Sister, don't you think there's something unusual between the national advisor and this young lady beside you?"
Hearing this, the three of them all looked at her simultaneously. Qiao Meng even got a bit nervous, and her voice involuntarily grew louder.
"What are you talking about? I don't quite understand what you mean."
"Sister is so young, yet already so muddled. That trick of sowing discord never works on me. The principle of not using those you suspect and not suspecting those you use is well - known to everyone in the world."
"Really? Didn't you just say that this young lady has been a bit perfunctory towards you these days?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Concubine Rui's scrutinizing gaze swept over. Although on the surface she spoke high - sounding words, those who knew her well knew that she never fully trusted anyone.
Qiao Meng didn't realize when her palms had started to sweat, but she still managed to keep calm.
"Your Ladyship, I've been by your side for so long. Don't you know me yet? When have I ever done anything to let you down? It's the Empress Dowager who has always been trying to drive a wedge between us so that she can escape smoothly. You should still remember that I've already stated my purpose before. I hate those people so much. How could I have any connection with them?"
There seemed to be nothing wrong with these words. Concubine Rui didn't know whom to believe for a moment.
"Let's put this matter aside for now. Sister, why don't we first talk about where you're going?"
Regardless of whether what Shi Muyuan said was true or not, Concubine Rui had to deal with her today.
The young girl didn't miss the hint of cruelty in her eyes. No, she had to live well. Otherwise, how could she see the downfall of these villains? And she also had to find out the relationship between Cui Qizhou and them after his not coming to her rescue before.
Thinking of this, she gritted her teeth.
"If you don't deal with the people around you first, you may not even know how you've been sold in the future."
These words were like a stone that stirred up a thousand waves on the calm water surface.
Concubine Rui was finally influenced by her words and began to question the two of them.
"I think what the Empress Dowager said makes sense. What's the relationship between you two? Qiao Meng, you said on the surface that you have no connection, but why did you show mercy when I asked you to take action before?"
Qiao Meng seemed to have already guessed that she might question her, so she had prepared a set of explanations.
"Your Ladyship has misunderstood. I just thought that it would be useful to keep the national advisor. Aren't you curious how they came here without a map?"
Yes, Concubine Rui almost forgot the most important thing. She stared intently at the man and said, "How on earth did you find this place?"
Unexpectedly, these words made the man who had been silent all this time speak up.
"How did Your Ladyship know about this place? Do you have a map?"
"Of course I do."
When Concubine Rui said this, there was a hint of pride on her face. She took out the bracelet from her body.
When seeing that bracelet, the man suddenly said out of the blue,
"I knew I couldn't be wrong. It's really you. Why have you disappeared for so many years? Do you know that I've been looking for you all the time?"
His voice was a bit hoarse, which made the young girl who was used to his calmness suddenly feel a bit strange. She had never seen such a man before.
She didn't interrupt and hoped to learn more from their conversation.
However, Qiao Meng didn't want to continue this topic at all. Instead, she pretended that they didn't know each other.
"I don't understand what the national advisor means. We've never met before. Don't try to get on good terms with me just to escape. I never buy this kind of thing."
Her expression was cold, and her words made people feel extremely heart - chilled.
The young girl just calmly watched, guessing in her heart: Could it be that these two were old lovers and then had a feud? The reunion of old lovers, such a clichéd drama, unexpectedly happened to her one day. It was really exciting.
The man's heart was completely focused on Qiao Meng. His eyes were full of sadness.
"Why? You clearly recognized me, but still don't want to admit it. Are you blaming me for what happened back then?"
"Enough! I don't understand a single word the national advisor said. If there's nothing else, just think about how you're going to die."
Her heartless attitude pleased Concubine Rui, and her last bit of suspicion towards Qiao Meng completely disappeared.
"Sister, don't think about those useless things. I'm not stupid enough to be deceived by your few words."
"Oh? Then why did you believe it just now?"
The onlooker sees most clearly, while the one involved is often confused. Shi Muyuan finally understood that there must be something between these two people, and it wasn't something simple. They just didn't say it out. It was estimated that there were some unspeakable contradictions on both sides.
She had to keep this as a trump card.
After much thought, she finally came up with a way.
"You just want to know how we got in. I can tell you, but I have a condition."
"What condition?"
"I want to talk to Miss Qiao alone. I need to verify something."
Concubine Rui was skeptical. She looked back at Qiao Meng.
Needless to say, Qiao Meng would definitely not agree. But then a sentence changed her mind.
"You can choose not to talk to me, but can you be sure that you won't regret it after the national advisor dies?"
"Your Ladyship, since the Empress Dowager is so confident, I'm suddenly curious where her courage comes from. How about giving me a chance? Maybe I can find out a lot of useful information."
Since the words had been said to this extent, Concubine Rui had no choice but to give them some private space.
"Then it's up to you."
After saying that, she turned around and left. Shi Muyuan stared at the two of them without blinking.
"It seems that Miss Qiao and the national advisor must have known each other before. Your relationship is quite deep. I'm really curious."
"Empress Dowager, just ask whatever you want. Let you die in peace."
"What's the relationship between you two? Why has it become like this?"
Qiao Meng gritted her teeth. She had to bring up those things from the past again.
"Humph, once upon a time, we were childhood sweethearts. But even though he was in a high position, he couldn't even keep a place for me."
"Oh? There's actually such a story in it. Then Miss Qiao, why don't you tell me in detail?"
Hearing this, Qiao Meng's gaze fell on the man. Their eyes met, but the initial palpitation was gone.
The man still repeated what he had said before: "I'm sorry. I didn't think so much. I didn't know that he would break his promise and do such a thing. You can beat me, scold me, or kill me. I won't have any complaints now."
"Humph, you've always been so high - and - mighty. We were all the same, but why do you always shift the responsibility?"